What is STEM?
STEM can be…
An acronym for Science, Technology,
Engineering & Math
1. Interdisciplinary – formal, physical, life, social,
& applied science
2. Curriculum driven by problem-solving, discovery,
exploratory learning, active learning to find solutions
3. “a meta-discipline” transforming subject matter by
incorporating technology & engineering
Ellen Richards Founded Family &
Consumer Sciences
Ellen Swallow Richards
FCS Pioneer
1842-1911
• Ellen lived 1842-1911 when filth,
disease & suffering was common.
Only half of the children lived to
adulthood.
• Ellen became a scientist,
philosopher and change agent
at MIT.
• She felt science and research
would have a stronger impact if it
applied to improve living
environments.
Our first STEM connection…
• She was dedicated to
this new field of
connecting scientific
knowledge to
practical applications.
• She addressed food
safety, water quality
and safe home
environments.
Overall
STEM Education…
• Integrates science,
technology, engineering,
& math into one learning
experience
• Uses project-based learning
• Reinforces real world
application
• Prepares students for
integrated careers
• Develops “soft” &
technical skills
Soft Skills
“personal qualities, habits, attitudes & social
behaviors that make an individual a good employee”
• Verbal/written
communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Organization skills
• Curiosity & imagination
• Technology experience
•
•
•
•
•
Teamwork skills
Time management
Following directions
Desire to learn
Creative problem-solving
skills
Curricular Attributes
STEM
FACS
• Challenging Curriculum
• Challenging Curriculum
• Inquiry-Based Learning
• Inquiry-Based Learning
• Defined Outcomes
• Defined Outcomes
• Sustained
Commitment/Community
Involvement
• Sustained
Commitment/Community
Involvement
“STEM-ifying” FCS Problems
(Scientific Method)
Ask a Question
Do Background Research
Construct a Hypothesis
Test your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment
Analyze your Data and Draw a Conclusion
Report your Results
“STEM-ifying” FCS Problems
(Engineering Approach)
Identify Problem
Brainstorm
Design
Build, Redesign, Test, and Evaluate
Share Solution
All FCS Careers are
All FCS
Careers
Based
in …. are
CONTENT
KNOWLEDGE
based in…
Family & Consumer
Sciences
Biology
Economics
Design
Sociology
(financial literacy)
Business
Nutrition
Architecture
(housing styles)
Chemistry
Psychology
Engineering
(cooking/baking)
(consumer decision making)
(fashion/textiles)
Anthropology
(family studies)
(family
studies)
Communications
& Media
Microbiology
Food Safety
Ecology
Physics
Technology
Strong
relationships
ECOLOGY
STEM Career Connections
Integrated Content:
• Kitchen Math
• Food Chemistry
• Reality Learning vs. Abstract Math Problems
• Financial Literacy
• Problem Solving and Synthesis
• Interdisciplinary Content
…and more!
Students Say…
Students Say…
• “When I think about FACS, I feel that I am
going to learn something that will help me for
the rest of my life.”
• “The most important thing that I learned in
FACS class, that I feel I will take with me and
will help me the most, is learning about
different careers, colleges, and degrees.”
• “The hands-on project work in FACS helped
me to have confidence in my actions.”
FCS is STEM
Education